Duvets

[floo]

deleted

[jeremyp]

You get new duvets twice a year? What do you do with them?

[jeremyp]

Bin them of course, you can't recycle them.

No, I mean what do you do that wears a duvet out in six months?

[john]

My family has used duvets of different types for many years. Cant remember the last time I junked one though. We wash the covers regularly though.

Cannot see the need to change them unless soiled or they smell or have lost their loft.

Think you are wasting your money Floo.

[Udayana]

As they are polyester they mostly end up as landfill. Not very easy to recycle either.

http://www.reducereuserecycle.co.uk/where_can_I_recycle/duvet.php

On a slightly different note microplastic fibres from washing of polyester clothes (esp. fleeces) is polluting the seas.

[Brownie]

That must be why cleaners/laundry shops don't take them in to wash any more.  Last time I tried to get one washed they told me something but I've forgotten what, however they are very cheap nowadays.  Replacing twice a year seems a bit excessive to me too unless you spill something on, like tea or coffee, which some people drink in bed.   If you buy one that has a decent, dense, cotton outer it will resist - er - sweat and all that - for a long time as long as the cover is changed frequently.  They can also become a bit 'flat' with time and heavier.  However I'd have thought a couple of years would have been OK before replacing.  Still each to their own.

[ad_orientem]

Duvets, definitely, but two a year? They lasy years.

[Brownie]

Definitely "lasy" Ad_O :-).  Reminds me of the one I took away from my son's house last year when he was away, it looked as though it would soon walk out of the door on its own.  I disposed of it and replaced it.  When he came  home he said the new one wasn't heavy enough.

Floo, you talking about feathers reminds me of childhood when everything was stuffed with feathers and a few stray ones would float around, especially when Mum was changing the bedclothes and cleaning the bedrooms.  I was terrified of feathers!

[Bubbles]

I use one of these, don't bother with duvets anymore.

Merino wool blanket

http://www.sleepcheaper.co.uk/Memory_Foam_Mattress_Pages/Why_choose_merino_wool_bedding.htm

[jeremyp]

We don't wear them out, we just want fresh ones after six months as they aren't easy to wash. Besides which we don't spend a fortune on them anyway.

My duvets last for years. You know you can put covers on them?

[jeremyp]

YUCK! Of course I put covers on them, but I think it would be really disgusting to keep one for years, especially when they are so cheap to buy.

Ah, the disposable culture.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Jeremyp,

Ah, the disposable culture.

Exactly

But it makes me wonder about our throw away society, who here on this forum does not have that special drawer, you know! that drawer that you keep stuff in, the drawer full of stuff that might come in handy, or a shed in the garden full of stuff that you don't throw away, my old Father was favourite for this, we joked that Lord Lucan and Shergar were lurking at the back of his old shed

Gonnagle.

[Brownie]

I looked at the merino wool bedding Rose and am sure it is very warm in winter and it says it is cool in summer.  Do you put a sheet under it?  I noted that the blankets are dry clean only.  Also, is merino wool itchy?  I certainly can't wear pure wool next to skin, that includes gloves and scarfs so was wondering about this one.

Interesting Rose, thanks.  I'm happy with my duvet though, they are easy enough.

[Bubbles]

I looked at the merino wool bedding Rose and am sure it is very warm in winter and it says it is cool in summer.  Do you put a sheet under it?  I noted that the blankets are dry clean only.  Also, is merino wool itchy?  I certainly can't wear pure wool next to skin, that includes gloves and scarfs so was wondering about this one.

Interesting Rose, thanks.  I'm happy with my duvet though, they are easy enough.

I do, but you can have Marino wool bottom as well as pillows. I don't find it itchy.

I have now changed to a bottom cotton sheet that can be washed regularly, as I prefer to wash the bottom one.

I'm debating if revealing you don't need to wash a Marino wool blanket is going to be a bit untraditional for some 

However, it doesn't get dirty in the way a duvet cover does.

One job I've always hated is changing a king size duvet cover.

http://www.walesoncraic.com/ghost-of-someone-changing-their-duvet-photographed-by-dolgellau-woman/

It's also great for teenagers  not requiring much in the way of cleaning.

[Brownie]

Teenagers, or some of them, would use it until it walks off (see my earlier post regarding a not-teenager and his duvet).

Duvet covers are not difficult to change although the job isn't something I look forward to, however when I do it, it's soon done and I think, "What's the problem?".

I saw the under blanket but can't really see the point.  Sorry.  It would need to be cleaned fairly regularly too and dry cleaning must have some sort of non-green, environmental impact.  However we all have stuff dry cleaned sometimes and this is no criticism Rose, if you find the blankets good that's great.  I imagine such blankets will be fashionable for a while.

Wool of all types makes me itch, a lot of people have that problem.  You can buy wool that has been treated, including cashmere.  'Cashmilon' is a very good alternative to wool and doesn't look cheap - but that's clothes.

[Bubbles]

Teenagers, or some of them, would use it until it walks off (see my earlier post regarding a not-teenager and his duvet).

Duvet covers are not difficult to change although the job isn't something I look forward to, however when I do it, it's soon done and I think, "What's the problem?".

I saw the under blanket but can't really see the point.  Sorry.  It would need to be cleaned fairly regularly too and dry cleaning must have some sort of non-green, environmental impact.  However we all have stuff dry cleaned sometimes and this is no criticism Rose, if you find the blankets good that's great.  I imagine such blankets will be fashionable for a while.

Wool of all types makes me itch, a lot of people have that problem.  You can buy wool that has been treated, including cashmere.  'Cashmilon' is a very good alternative to wool and doesn't look cheap - but that's clothes.

The benefit to the environment is that wool is self cleaning

So how often do you really need to wash your wool bedding? The answer is not often at all, in fact, putting your wool bedding in the wash is purely for cosmetic reasons, so that you have nice clean cotton. This may surprise many of you who are new to wool bedding, but wool bedding is naturally very hygenic and self cleaning! Wool fibres can absorb 30% their weight in moisture, which is an amazing capability. However, when warmth and humidity are not present, wool fibres like to release any trapped moisture into the air - this clever system keeps sheep dry and healthy. We take advantage of this breathability in many ways, but a little known benefit is that wool stays naturally clean. As the wool fibres like to stay so dry they do not provide an ideal environment for fungus, mould or bacteria, unlike synthetic, feather and down bedding which provide fantastic environments for micro organisms. So while we're all very used to machine washing our clothing and bedding, there is an alternative, and it's much better for the environment too, simply take your wool bedding, blankets and throws outside on a dry, breezy day and any dry dust or dirt can simply fall out.

http://www.thewoolroom.com/blog/5-reasons-to-buy-wool-bedding/

Wool stays naturally clean.

So for that reason is much better for the environment.

You can wash the one I have linked to, but as it points out, it's for cosmetic reasons.

I know it may initially be a bit horrifying for some, but you don't have to wash it.

It will never, " walk away"

Just take it outside and shake it.

Much greener 

You need to buy your non teenager a Marino wool blanket, issue resolved.

[Brownie]

I don't have a teenager Rose.

What would I do with all my lovely duvet covers Rose?  Oh the pain, I would be in mourning!  As well as itching.

Still it all sounds good.  I can remember, many years ago, it was recommended that babies sleep on a sheepskin, do you remember that?

[Bubbles]

I don't have a teenager Rose.

What would I do with all my lovely duvet covers Rose?  Oh the pain, I would be in mourning!  As well as itching.

Still it all sounds good.  I can remember, many years ago, it was recommended that babies sleep on a sheepskin, do you remember that?

Yes I do

[wigginhall]

We use a sheet and blanket in summer, as I find duvets incredibly hot, even the summer ones.   In fact, I quite often throw off the blanket.   If we rent a cottage, I have to take sheet and blanket, as the duvets are always very hot.

[Brownie]

We have had duvets since we were first married in 1969, when given one as a wedding present. There is no way in a million years I would ever wish to revert to the old style bedding with blankets etc. We buy new duvets about twice a year, we have synthetic fibre ones as I appear to be allergic to the ones filled with feathers, which make my eyes water these days.

When I was changing our the beds earlier, my husband and I were wondering how many people still don't use duvets, preferring olden days bedding?

Floo, I thought of you and this thread yesterday evening when I read an article, no idea why and can't remember where I read it but something stuck in my mind.  It was about pillows actually but same difference.  The article said that 'it is advised' to change your pillows every six months because of all the germs they attract, however most people don't - but two years is the maximum.  Seemed to apply to man made fillings and natural.  So you are not far wrong in your practice of throwing away your duvet six monthly (though that does seem a bit too soon, a year or so seems better).

Well, I immediately ordered some nice new pillows and will throw away the ones I have been using, which are about eighteen months old  .